My favorite Christmas song is "Mary Did You Know" by Pentatonix, you can listen to their rendition by clicking this link Mary, Did You Know? - YouTube Music. I also love the version of "Mary Did You Know" by Clay Aiken, check out his song here Mary, Did You Know - YouTube Music. You decide which one you like better! As a mom, my love for this song grew after I had my first child. The experience of having a baby gave me a different insight into the experience of Mary, the mother of Jesus, so long ago.
This Sunday is odd because it is both Christmas Eve and the fourth Sunday of Advent. That means in the morning we will light the Candle of Joy and in the evening, we will light the center candle, the Christ Candle. The Candle of Joy is especially important this year because we have so little joy in our world as two major battles are occurring simultaneously, the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Gaza Strip. There is so much pain in our world, it is hard to be filled with joy when we know so many people are suffering.
That is why the song of Mary, found in Luke 1:46-55 is so important: And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
This is a song sung by a poor woman who had no power or influence. She was disregarded by her culture, and she had no hope that her life would ever change or improve. Nobody cared about this young girl, yet she believed that the God of her ancestors was going to do a good thing for His people. This is a song of hope when there was no reason to hope. This is a song of joy when life brought no joy. This is a young girl who is filled with the love of God because she realizes God has not forgotten her.
May you be filled with God’s love this weekend as we gather on Christmas Eve to celebrate God’s love that came to us in the form of an infant, to bring us hope, love, peace, and joy.
As you contemplate God's love that came to us, watch the mini movie "God With Us" by clicking on the video below.